Riley Patterson, a kicker, has found a new home. On December 25, the Cleveland Browns announced that they had signed the veteran kicker to their practice squad.
Patterson was signed by the Browns less than a week after being released by the Detroit Lions. Michael Badgley, another veteran, has kicked for Detroit the last two games.
Dustin Hopkins has been a standout kicker for Cleveland this season. However, Hopkins suffered a hamstring injury against the Houston Texans in Week 16.
In Week 17, the Browns will face the New York Jets on Thursday, December 28.
Patterson has a higher field-goal percentage this season than he did last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he has struggled with extra-point attempts.
Patterson missed two of three extra-point attempts in two of his last three games with Detroit.
After going 1-for-2 on extra points in Week 14, the Lions elevated Badgley for the Week 15 game against the Denver Broncos.
The Lions activated rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker from injured reserve the following week. To make room for the rookie quarterback, the Lions made a decision at kicker, which resulted in Patterson’s release.
Patterson, on the other hand, could see immediate action this season. Hopkins did not practice on December 25 or 26 due to a hamstring injury in his left leg.
This season, Patterson has made 15 of 17 field goals (88.2%) and 35 of 37 extra points (94.6%). He had an 85.7% field-goal percentage and a 97.3% extra-point success rate with the Jaguars last season.
Patterson made his NFL debut with the Lions in 2021 before kicking for the Jaguars in 2022. In seven games that season, he was 13-for-14 on field goals and 16-for-16 on extra points.
Badgley had no problems in his 2023 Lions debut, making all six extra points against the Broncos. In the win, he did not attempt a field goal.
In Week 17, however, Badgley went 3-for-4 on extra points against the Minnesota Vikings.
Although Badgley converted his only field goal attempt from 37 yards, the missed extra point nearly cost him the game. The Vikings had the ball in the final minute of regulation and had the opportunity to take the lead with a touchdown and extra point.
The Vikings were stopped by the Lions defense, and Detroit won 30-24. The win gave Detroit its first NFC North championship.
Badgley’s missed extra point became an afterthought in the aftermath of the division title. However, his kicking is something to keep an eye on in the future.
Last season, Badgley appeared in 12 games for the Lions. Despite making all 33 of his extra points, he only hit 83.3% of his field goals. Badgley had a field-goal percentage of 76.9% on attempts longer than 39 yards.
In his six-year career, Badgley has kicked for five different teams. In 2018, he made his NFL debut with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Following three seasons with the Chargers, Badgley will split the 2021 season between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans. He also kicked one game for the Chicago Bears in 2022, in addition to Detroit.
Badgley has made 81.9% of his field goals and 96.5% of his extra points in 62 NFL games.
